European Green Deal, new standards for waste and sustainable packaging

Climate change and environmental degradation pose a serious threat to Europe and the world. Europe's future depends on the health of the planet, which is why EU countries have committed to meeting their international obligations under the Paris Agreement and achieving climate neutrality by 2050. The EU strategy to achieve this goal by 2050 is contained in the European Green Deal, a package of measures to support the green transition in the EU. To meet these challenges, the European Green Deal will not only transform the EU into a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy, creating new opportunities for innovation, investment and employment, but also aims to

• reduce emissions
• create jobs and growth
• fight energy poverty
• reduce dependence on external energy sources
• improve health and well-being.

An important part of these new green models also applies to the world of packaging.

Waste reduction, new EU rules also apply to can packaging: the figures
At the end of 2022, the European Commission approved a new regulation to reduce packaging waste. The aim is to encourage reuse and make all packaging recyclable by 2030, in line with the European Green Deal programme. Specifically, the guiding principles are threefold:

1. limit unnecessary packaging, prevent its production and promote reuse and recycling solutions;
2. promote recyclable packaging at affordable prices;
3. impose restrictions on producers and create markets for recyclable materials to reduce waste.

Where does this need come from? The packaging waste problem is significant, estimated at 180 kg per capita per year in Europe (mainly plastic). Eurostat calculated that in Italy, in 2020, each inhabitant produced almost 2.9 tonnes of waste, a significant figure, although reduced compared to 2019. On this indicator, Italy is in the top ten in Europe, ahead of Finland, Sweden, Belgium, Germany and France. The 2021 report by the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (Ispra) also found that Italian companies produced less packaging in 2020 than in the previous four years.

Waste reduction, new EU standards also affect can packaging: future measures
The new EU standards are designed to accelerate the path to significant waste reduction by 2030 by introducing reuse and recycling across the EU, further reducing waste per capita. To help consumers, packaging will be clearly labelled, indicating what materials it is made of, where it should be recycled and whether it can be reused or recycled. As far as producers are concerned, the EU will impose a number of obligations on them. For example, certain types of packaging will be banned, such as single-use packaging in restaurants, hotels and the manufacturing sector. Secondly, companies will have to offer consumers a certain percentage of products in reusable or recyclable packaging.

Green Deal and sustainable can packaging: Ecocap's and Topsyl
The Italian aluminium packaging supply chain is the most advanced in Europe and has long since exceeded the targets set at EU level. Italy has the highest recycling rate at the lowest possible cost and the environmental contribution paid by companies for the collection and recycling of aluminium packaging is the lowest in Europe, at 7 euros per tonne. In recent years, the overall recycling rate of aluminium packaging at national level has been around 70%, in line with current legislative targets (50% by 2025 and 60% by 2030). In this panorama, a company has emerged that develops high-tech solutions that interact with the environment, making research and development under the banner of sustainability its main slogan. This is the case, for example, with Ecocap's, part of the Cassoli Group, and its innovative global patent Topsyl.

Environmental and social sustainability is at the heart of Ecocap's and the other Cassoli Group companies' mission. Ecocap's, in fact, is synonymous with innovation, research and development in the industrial can packaging machinery sector and, at the same time, is a meticulous and responsible company that is actively committed to creating economic, social and environmental sustainability in the territories in which it operates. In particular, the patented TopSyl system is a ready-to-use system, applicable to all types and sizes of beverage cans, that goes beyond reliable protection by sealing the can opening with a unique technology. TopSyl protects the can as soon as it is filled, safeguarding the product and the consumer by preventing the formation of moisture between the protection and the can and thus the growth of mould and bacterial flora. Fixed to the can, it is made of aluminium, is recyclable and does not leak into the environment. Moreover, it adapts perfectly to the communication needs of companies, transforming the top of the can into a targeted and differentiated communication tool for each market, channel and customer.

For further information:

Ecocap's
Via A.Modigliani, 13, 40033 Casalecchio di Reno, Bologna - ITALY
Phone +39 (051) 29.86.111
Email [email protected]
Website https://www.ecocaps.com/ - https://topsyl.it/